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gradualism

 - 3 dictionary results

grad⋅u⋅al⋅ism

  [graj-oo-uh-liz-uhm]
Use gradualism in a Sentence
–noun
1. the principle or policy of achieving some goal by gradual steps rather than by drastic change.
2. Philosophy. a theory maintaining that two seemingly conflicting notions are not radically opposed, but are related by others partaking in varying degrees of the character of both.
3. Biology. a tenet in evolutionary theory maintaining that species evolve slowly and continuously over long periods of geological time.

Origin:
1825–35, Americanism; gradual + -ism

Related forms:
grad⋅u⋅al⋅ist, noun, adjective
grad⋅u⋅al⋅is⋅tic, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To gradualism
grad·u·al·ism   (grāj'ōō-ə-lĭz'əm)   
n.  

  1. The belief in or the policy of advancing toward a goal by gradual, often slow stages.

  2. Biology The view that speciation proceeds by imperceptibly small, cumulative steps over long periods of time rather than by abrupt, major changes.

grad'u·al·ist n., grad'u·al·is'tic adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Science Dictionary
gradualism   (grāj'-ə-lĭz'əm)  Pronunciation Key 
The theory that new species evolve from existing species through gradual, often imperceptible changes rather than through abrupt, major changes. The small changes are believed to result in perceptible changes over long periods of time. Compare punctuated equilibrium.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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